Equestrian / Eventing Equipment and History

Bit

Blinkers

The flaps on a bridle which stop a horse from seeing backwards or sideways (unauthorized in competition).

Breeches

Trousers worn specifically for riding.

Bridle

A harness that fits around a horse's head, holding the bit.

Cup

An attachment to the wing of a jump, which holds the rail in position.

Fence

1. in jumping, a vertical obstacle usually no higher than 1.6 metres but involving substantial width, constructed with colourful poles, planks, hedges, fake stone or brick, or flowers. 2. in the three-day event, a vertical obstacle usually less than 1.2 metres high and constructed with natural materials designed to fit with the terrain.

Gate

A vertical fence made with planks, balustrades, gates or other items to present a solid obstacle.

Hunting Stock

A broad band worn around a rider's neck.

Obstacle

In show jumping and the three-day event, an object a horse must clear to complete the course, such as a fence, gate or water jump.

Oxer

A single fence consisting of two elements which make a spread jump, such as parallel oxers.

Parallel Oxer

An obstacle featuring front and back rails of equal height set wide apart to produce a spread, creating a difficult jump.

Rail

In showjumping and the three-day event, a pole which makes up a part of some obstacles. SaddleThe seat for the rider on the back of a horse. Safety cupA special cup used to hold the back rail of a spread fence. This cup releases and drops the rail if the horse hits it.

Saddle

The seat for the rider on the back of a horse.

Safety Cup

A special cup used to hold the back rail of a spread fence. This cup releases and drops the rail if the horse hits it.

Spread

A show jumping obstacle with an element of width, not just height, and which is generally higher and wider than the other spread jumps.

Spur

A pointed device attached to a rider's boot heel and used to encourage a horse. VerticalAn obstacle which is difficult to jump because of its height.

Vertical

An obstacle which is difficult to jump because of its height.

Vertical fence

A straight up-and-down fence without width, creating a relatively difficult obstacle. Water jumpAn obstacle requiring a horse to jump over a wide expanse of water, usually with a low hedge or fence at the leading edge.

Water Jump

An obstacle requiring a horse to jump over a wide expanse of water, usually with a low hedge or fence at the leading edge.

All events

Glossary

AidA prompt that a rider gives a horse to change gaits, turn, etc., using the hands, legs, voice or body weight.

CanterAn easy gait of a horse (between a trot and a gallop in speed) where, in the course of each stride, three legs are off the ground at once.

Centre lineIn dressage, an imagined line down the middle of the arena.

CombinationA series of related jumps labelled A, B (and C) one or two strides apart.

Cross-country1. a section of the cross-country day in the three-day event where competitors must complete a course of difficult obstacles in a countryside setting. 2. the new term for the speed-and-endurance test.

DisobedienceIn jumping, a general term for a horse''s refusal, run-out, resistance, turning in a circle or deviating from the course.

DressageAn Olympic equestrian event where each horse must perform a series of movements testing the rider''s control of the horse, and a panel of judges awards points.

Fall1. the act of a horse touching either its shoulders or hind quarters to the ground. 2. the act of a rider touching any part of the body to the ground or pushing up from an obstacle to return to the saddle.

FaultIn jumping, a unit of scoring equal to each point a rider is penalised for committing an error.

Flying changeA skipping movement at the canter where a horse changes its lead leg at every fourth, third,

ForefootA horse''s front foot.

GaitAny of a horse''s characteristic motions, including, in order of speed, a walk, trot, canter or gallop.

GallopThe fastest gait of a horse, essentially equivalent to running.

Grand prix freestyle testIn dressage, the third round of the individual event at the Olympic Games, a composition of grand prix movements performed with the rider''s own choreography to musical accompaniment.

Grand prix specialIn dressage, the second round of the individual event at the Olympic Games.

Grand prix testSee grand prix de dressage.

Half passA forward and sideways movement at the trot or canter where the horse crosses its legs.

Half pirouetteThe same as a pirouette, except executed only in a half-circle.

Hind footA horse''s back foot.

ImpulsionA state of readiness to act impulsively and push onward.

JumpAn obstacle which requires a horse to jump over it.

JumpingShort for "showjumping", an Olympic equestrian event where each horse must clear a number of obstacles on a set course within a specified time.

Jump-offIn jumping, an extra round held to break a tie for first place after the final scheduled round of competition.

Knock downTo cause any part of an obstacle to fall.

LathIn jumping, the thin white strip that defines the boundary of a water jump.

ManeThe long hair growing about the neck and neighbouring part of a horse.

MovementA single characteristic style of motion of a horse, several of which make up a dressage performance.

On the bitA term used for a horse being restrained by pressure on the bit, with the horse attentive to the rider''s aids.

On the flatA term referring to riding or training performed over ground without obstacles.

PaceManner of stepping; gait

PassageA suspended trot in slow motion where each diagonally opposite pair of feet is raised and returned to the ground alternately.

Penalty pointA point added to a rider''s score for committing an error.

PiaffeA highly elevated and majestic trot on the spot, with each diagonally opposite pair of feet raised and returned to the ground alternately while the horse''s head ideally is vertical and the neck raised and arched.

PirouetteA rhythmic turning on the spot at the walk and canter where the inside hind foot is the pivot for the circle and ideally returns to the spot each time it is lifted from the ground.

RefusalA horse''s act of stopping in front of an obstacle, penalised unless the horse then clears the obstacle without having to improve its run-up.

ResistanceA horse''s act of refusing to continue, rearing, stepping back or making a half-turn.

Roads and tracksTwo parts of the cross country test in the three-day event, consisting of riding on the flat at a measured pace.

Run-outA horse''s attempt to escape the rider''s control and avoid an obstacle it is supposed to jump.

Schooling areaIn jumping, the area designated for warming up the horses before competing.

ShowjumpingAn Olympic equestrian event where each horse must clear a number of obstacles on a set course within a specified time.

Speed and enduranceThe section of the three-day event consisting of road and track, steeplechase and the cross-country obstacle course, now generally referred to as the cross-country section.

SteeplechaseA part of the cross-country test where horses run on a turf track featuring several low brush fences.

SubmissionUnresisting or humble obedience.

Take-off pointThe optimum point before an obstacle for a horse to jump.

Three-day eventAn Olympic equestrian event incorporating the three equestrian disciplines of dressage, cross-country and jumping in one series of tests for horse and rider.

Triple barA jump featuring three sets of rails at varying heights that produce a spread.

TrotAn easy gait of a horse (between a walk and a canter in speed) where the legs move in diagonal pairs alternately.

WalkThe slowest gait of a horse where the legs move individually in a diagonal pattern.